Mixing and distributing mechanism



an o. w. VALLIJER 1615730 MIXING AND DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM Filed Aug.30. 1926 2 sheets-sheet 1 o'. w. VALLJER MIXING AND DISTRIBUTINGMECHANISM Jan. 25, 1927. 1,615,730

Filed Aug. 30, 192e 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORVIS W. VALLIER, OF TATERTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO J. B. WISE.'INCOR- 'PORATED, -OF WATERTOWN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION .OFQNEVT MIXINGANI) DISTRIBUTING lYIEG'I-IA.N'ISIVL` Application filed August 30, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in mixing valves, designedparticularly tor use in .connection with tub land shower baths, and hasfor its object to provide in one simple and compact tting a completemixing valve whereby water at .any temperature may be drawn from theusual cold and hot water sources vand a distributing mechanism by whichthemixture `may .be directed towards the tub as well as to the showernozzle, in any volume from a mere trickle to the full capacity ot thesystem, by the manipulation ot simple controlling members. A furtherobject-is to provide ya tour-way valve having separate cold'a-nd-hotwater receiving leads, which is arranged to separately draw eithercolder hot water, or both cold and hot water in equal or differentvolumes and to discharge the water into a common chamber'. A furtherobject is to provide a novel .distributing valve which is located insaid chamber, the said valve being arranged to be seated mainly by thetorce of the water pressure tor preventing leakage without requring anyspecial packing. A furtherV Objectis to .provide a train vof gears torpositively operating the distributing valve, said gearsbeing controlledby a lever by which the. mixture may be delivered to the tub and to theshower in any volume at a single throw. A further object is to providemeans for indexing .the movements ot the distributing lever and forindicating the destination as well as the volume ot water to be drawnfrom the mixing chamber. A turther object is to provide means torpositively stopping the .distributing lever when the valve is positionedfor delivering the greatest volume 4ot water to either the tub or theshower. And a further object is to provide means for adjusting parts otthe distributing mechanism to conform to a relatively wide range ofvariations in roughing-iu measurements.

The various features and parts of the invention will be understood bythe detailed description which follows, and by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a broken iront elevationof a tub and shower bath tix-ture, to which. my improvement is applied.Fig. 2 is a broken vertical section of a wall, in which the water supplypipes as well as the mixing and distributing valves are disposed, theexposed parts being the dial and the operating han- .Serial No. 132,567,

dle and lever. Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear end elevation of the mixingand distributing mechanism, showing the distributing lever in theneutral position. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section, taken on ,line L-4 of Fig. 2, showing the distributing lever in position for dischargingthe tullvolume ot water to the tub. Fig. 5 is a similar view, taken online 44 Fig. 2 Showing the distributing'lever in position fordischarging the contents of the mixing .chamber toward the showernozzle. Fig.`6- is .a bottom side view .and partial central longitudinalsection, showing the mixing valvein position to produce warm.water;also.showing the distributing valve in p ositionV to supply the mixture tothe shower nozzle. Fig. 7 is a transverse section, taken .on line 7 7 ofFig. 6. Fig. 8 is a transverse section, taken 01T line 8-8 of Fig. .6.Fig. 9 is respectively a side elevation and an end view of the conical`distributing valve. Fig 10 is respectively an outer end view and a`central longitudinal sect-ion ot the body` ofthe distributingA valve.vAnd Fig. ll is a side elevation ot the latter valve b-Ody. Fig.k12 isan enlarged face view ot the dialinscribed with indicia for theoperating handles.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a combination tub and showerbath and wa.- ter supply system, in which 2 represents the mixing-valvebody, which receives the cold and hot water lrespectively throughvalveless conduits 3 ande. The cold,'warm, or hot water resulting fromthe operation ot the valve is discharged respectively towards thebath-,tub A and the lsllower-head B, by branch pipes 5 and .6, the saidpipes being unobstructed, andl together with the Abody 2 comprising anlaligning conductor ot the simplest construction. The water tor the tub.and also for the shower-head` is selectively controlledby amixing-valve 7, .and bya distributing-valve 8. In the preferredarrangement the pipes .3, 4, 5 and 6, `as well as .the main portion otthe body 2, are shown enclosedby .a hollow wall ll, so that only theoperatinghandles or members and the usualdial, as 2- are exposed. Thepipe v6 extends through ,the wall into the bath-room and is fitted withthe usual shower-head B :(see Figs. l and 2).

The mixing-valve comprises a tapered body, which is operatively disposedin `a correspondingly, tajliered seat .or chamber 7", and

is partially rotated by means of a stem 7, which extends outwardlybeyond the dial 2', and is itted with a handle 7 b, by which the valvemay be operated manually. The valve 7 is referablv formed with a mixingchamber 7e which communicates respectively with the cold and hot waterpipes 8 and 4, by means oi radial ports 7d-7, as best seen in Figs. 6and 7, in which the valve 7 is in position to draw water from both pipes8 and t to be mixed in the chamber 7c .tor producing warm water. It willbe understood that rotating the valve 7 slightly in either directionfrom the position oi Fig. '7 will el'ect the drawing oi the cold or hotwater alone, and that by continuing the said rotation still farther, thesupply ot' water to chamber 7C, may be entirely shut-oil. The dial inFigs. 1 and 12 bear marks indicating the extreme movements of the valve7, as well as the temperature of the water at diii'erent stages of thesaid operations. The exposed end oi' the body 2 is closed by a threadedcap 2a, and this cap is telescoped loosely by a larger sleeve 2b, whichis also threaded to the body, and may be screwed in opposite directionswithout disturbing the cap. rJlhe sleeve 2h has a flange 2c, whichengages the outer face of the dial 2, and is employed for adjustablyclamping the dial to the walls (11) in case there are variations in thethickness of the walls. Below the mixing chamber 7c, the body 2 isformed with a hollow portion, which is divided longitudinally by a wall2d, the central plane of which includes the axial line of the pipes 3and 4t, for pro viding separate chambers 2"m that collect the water forthe tub and shower-head, the chambers 2"--2f having unrestrictedcommunication respectively with the pipes 5 and 6. The water deliveredby pipes 8 and 4 passes through ducts 2X- Y, which are formed in thewall 2d (see Figs. 6, 7 and 8). The rear end of the body is formed witha relatively large threaded opening a?, that normally communicates withboth oit the chambers 2-2 (see Figs. 6 and 8).

My distributing mechanism will now be described: 12 represents anexternally threaded bushing which screws into the opening .fr oi' thebody,the bushing having a [lange 12 that overlaps the said opening. Thebushing 12 preferably seats tightly against the bottom margin of thevalve chamber 7 that surrounds the bottom end oit the mixing valve 7(see Fig. 6). Beyond the flange 12 the bushing is formed with ahexagonal portion 12b to receive a wrench. The inner end of the bushing12 is formed with a conical socket 12C and beyond the said socket is asmaller bore 12l. The bushing 12 is formed with diametric ports12@'--12l, which respectively communicate with the chambers 2e-2f. Thedistributing Valve 8, comprises a bell-shaped portion 8 having a taperto closely lit the socket 12" oi the bushing. ',lhe bell 8 is formedwith a concentric cavity 8, which aligns axially with the mixing chamber7 C, and therefore receives the mixture directly from the said chamber.The bell portieri oit the valve 8 is formed with a single elongatedcircumferential port 8C, by which the water is discharged into chambers29-2f when the valve is rotated. Beyond the bell 8', the valve 8 isformed with an integral stem 8, which journals in the bore 12d ol thebushing, and surrounding the base oi said stem is pret erably disposed apacking ring 8e, lor supplementing the normal metallic seal o'l' thebell portion with the bushing. The 'free end ot the stem 8l ispreferably flattened at 8", and this portion is also perforated as at8X. The valve 8 is operated a partial revolution ior dispensing thewater toward the tub and shower-head by means oi" a pair ot gears1st-14C The gear 14- is formed with a slotted opening to receive theflattened end ot' the stem 8% and is held in place thereon by means ot apin 14a. This peculiar arrangement enables gear 14 to drive the valve 8.The gear 111 is rigidly mounted upon one end oi a shaft 15, the latter'being journaled in bearing-lugs 15', which may be integral with the body2, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and '7. The shaft 15 extends forwardlyparallel to the barrel of the body 2, and upon its forward end isslidably mounted a sleeve 1G which supports an operating lever 16, bywhich the distributing valve is manipulated. The lever and sleeve 18 maybe made integral by drawing the sleeve, and the shaft 15 is preferablyflattened as at 15a, as shown in Figs. 8, 1, and 5, for enabling thesleeve to drive the shalft. It is important that the valve 8 be stoppedwhen it reaches the positions where the greatest volume oi water may bedelivered to the tub and shower-head. To this end, the sleeve 16 istermed with a substantially semicircular flange 16 whose radii asmeasured troni the axis of the sleeve to its extremities 16--16c aregreater than the radial distance from the axis ot the sleeve to theperiphery oil the casing 2. igiy this arrangement the lever 'tti isallowed definite strokes in opposite directions and is positivelysti'ipped by the engagement ot he points ltd-16 with theI barrel ot thebody 2 (see Figs. t and 5), when the port 8 is moved into registry withthe ports 121-12r ot the bushing 12, which means that the discharge o't'the water trom the valve 8 is at its greatest volume. rl'his will beunderstood by reference to Fig. 8, wherein the tull lines show the port8" iu full registry with the port 12h The extreme positions oi the valve8 correspond to the positions oi the lever 16 indicated at a and CZ inFigs. 1 and 12. The intermediate positions 7) and ill) c' indicaterespectively the medium discharge to the shower and the neutral orclosed position of the valve 8, as shown in Fig. 8. In order to provideclearance for the lever 16, between the dial 2 and the wall 11, the

flange ot the dial is eut away, as at 16d (see` liig. G).

From the foregoing it will be understood that thc operator iirstmanipulates the handle 7", tor drawing either cold, warm or hot water bythe swinging oit the handle 7b so as to point to the corresponding markson the dial. The handle may then be lett in said position. The operatornext manipulates lever 16 in the proper direction for supplying eitherthe tub or the shower-head, as explained. At the end oi' the bathingexercise the operator should swing the lever' 1,6 to the neutralposition c. The handle 7b may then be swung to the oti' position, whichrelieves the valve 8 ot' the pressure, and provides a double safe-guardagainst leakage while the bath tixture is not in use.

My combined mixing and distributing mechanism is extremely simple, andeliminates a number ot shut-off and other valves and parts which haveheretofore been employed for controlling the supply ot water to the tubsand shower-heads. mechanism reduces the selective operations oi' thewater supply to the simplest terms. The mechanism may be produced atrela tively small cost, and its installation may be effected in lesstime and at less expense than any fitting of the class known to me. Whenthe mixing and distributing device is once properly installed it needsno attention or care, and neither of the valves require any adjusting orpacking.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, is i l. Thecombination with a hollow body having a Valve chamber receiving cold andhot water, a valve in said chamber for selectively drawing and mixingthe water, and means for opera-ting said valve, of a valve receiving themixed water and selectively dispensing the water toward a tub andshower-head, gears for rotating the dispensing valve, a rocking leverfor operating said gears, and means on the. lever engageable with thebody at points spaced from the water receiving and dispensing points forstopping said lever when the dispensing valve is in position to supplythe greatest volume of the water.

2. The combination with a hollow7 body having a valve chamber receivingcold and hot water and having separate chambers that communicate with abath-tub and a shower-head, and a valve in said valve chamber adapted toselectively draw and mix the cold and hot water, of a hollow valveadapted to receive the mixture trom the first valve and to dispense themixture toward said The present separate chambers, a lever 'foroperating the second valve, and means on the lever engageable with thebody at points spaced Jfrom the water receiving and dispensing pointsfor stopping the movements of said lever when the second valve is inposition to dispense the greatest volume of' the mixture.

3. A hollow body formed with a valve chamber communicating with cold andhot water inlets and having separate chambers communicating with abath-tub and a shower-head, said body having an opening` in one endcommunicating with the separate chambers, a valve in the valve chamberadapted to dra-w and mix the water received from said inlets, a valveinterposed between the valve chamber and said separate chambers forcontrolling the iow of the water toward the tub and shower-head, meansfor operating the mixing valve, means for rocking said second valve forcharging the separate chambers with the mixture during the finalmovements of said valve, and means for stopping the second valve whenthe flow of water to the tub and shower-head reaches the maximum volumeincluding means on the rocking means of the second valve engageable withthe body at points spaced from the water receiving and dispensingpoints.

et. The combination with a valve body having cold and hot water inletsand having separate chambers communicating with a bath-tub and ashower-head, of a valve adapted to be adjusted for selectively drawingwater of different temperatures through said inlets, a valve interposedbetween the first valve and the separate chambers adapted to be rockedin opposite directions for directing the mixture received from the firstvalve alternately toward the separate chambers, a lever for rocking thesecond valve, and means carri-ed by said lever adapted to engage saidbody at points spaced from the water receiving and dispensing points forlimiting the rocking movements of said second valves.

5. In a device of the type set forth, a body provided with hot and coldwater inlets and with separate outlets, said body having a mixingchamber and a hollow part therebelow, a diametrical wall dividing thehollow part to provide a pair of separate chambers, which lattercommunicat-e with the respective separate outlets, said wall havingports communicating with the water inlets, and each of which portsent/ers the mixing chamber, a hollow valve in the mixing chamberinterposed between the wall ports and having ports for registry with thewall ports, a second hollow valve below the first valve having a portfor registry with the outlets, and separate means for operating thevalves.

6. In combination with a body having a mixing chamber provided with hotand cold Water inlets and having separate outlets, a valve in saidchamber for Controlling the inlets, a distributing valve for controllingthe outlets, and means to operate the distributing valve including alever, and means Carried by the lever and engageable with the body atpoints spaced from said inlets and outlets to limit throw of the leverin both directions.

7. ln combination with a body having a mixing chamber provided with hotand cold Water inlets and having separat-e outlets, a valve in saidchamber for controllingl the inlets, a distributing valve Forcontrolling the outlets, and means to operate the distributing valveincluding a lever, and amenibel carried by the lever and having' spacedpointed ends engageable with the body to limitmovement of the lever inboth directions.

8. In combination with a body having a IniXing chamber provided with hotand Cold water inlets and having separate outlets, a valve to controlthe inlets, a distributing valve for controlling' the outlets, a dial onthe body, means to aetuate the distributingr valve, including a shaft,a. lever having a sleeve mounted on an end ot the shaft and ai'i'ai'igedto the rear of the dial and closely adjacent thereto, and a flange onthe sleeve having Aparts engageable with the body to limit movement ofthe lever.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

oRvIs W. vALLIER.

